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“Good morning, Sarah. I’m Joyce. I hope you enjoyed your breakfast.”
“Are you the doctor?”
“That’s right. I’d like to talk with you about what happened yesterday.”
“Dr. Joyce Achola, MD. Psychiatrist.” Sarah squinted to read the name tag on the doctor’s lab coat. “Behavioral Health.”
“Do you know why you’re here, Sarah?”
“I didn’t go inside when I got home.”
“Can you tell me about that?”
Carol entered the hospital waiting room to find Meghan, Maggie and several of the others from yesterday evening. “How is she?”
“They had her under observation.” Maggie said. “We can’t see her until the doctor has a chance to evaluate her.”
“That’s fair.” Carol looked around. “How long have you guys been here?”
“Meghan’s been here since the crack of dawn.” Maggie eyed the receptionist. “The rest of us drifted in over the last hour or so. She led a nice morning prayer. I’m hoping we hear something soon.”
“Sorry I missed it.” She turned to see what Maggie was looking at.
The receptionist was waving. The mayor went to investigate.
“Carol, I’m glad you’re here.” Meghan said. “The nurse told me she was asking for you.”
“Me?”
“That’s what she said. That has to be a good sign.”
“I hope so. I was worried sick about her last night.”
“Greg and I prayed for her, too.”
Maggie returned from the reception desk. “The doctor okayed her for a few visitors at a time. I’ll take second shift. She asked for you two a couple times already.”
“Can we go in now?” Carol asked.
“Yes, and don’t be all day. I’ve got to get in to City Hall.”
“I’m sure it would be okay if you came with us.” Meghan said.
“We’ll call it executive privilege. Let’s go.” Maggie waved them on.
The nurse opened the door to admit them. “Ladies.”
“Hi Lisa, how is she?” Meghan followed the others through.
“Sarah had a quiet night. We got her some breakfast and she met with Doctor Achola.”
“Joyce?” Maggie asked. “She’s top notch. I’d like to see her before I leave.”
“Carol? Is that you?” Sarah called out. The trio hurried to her room.
“Here I am, honey. Are you okay?” Carol went to her bedside.
“You brought the mayor?”
“Sure, Sarah. You were at the top of my agenda today.” She laid a hand on her shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“The medicine is making me sleepy. Joyce said that would wear off later.”
“You rest, then.” Maggie said softly. “I just came to see for myself that you’re okay. Feel better, kid.”
“Thanks, Maggie.”
The mayor nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. She left Sarah’s room and headed to the nurse’s station. “Is Dr. Achola available?”
The doctor leaned out from behind a divider. “Maggie?”
“What’s the word?”
“I can only discuss it with family, I’m afraid.”
“She hasn’t got any.” Maggie beckoned her closer. “I think Carol’s the closest thing to family that she has.”
“I’ll discuss it with her. She’ll need someone to advocate for her.”
“Let her know I’m available. I’ve got to get back to the office.”
“What I can say is that I’m optimistic.”
“Better than nothing. Thanks, doc.” Maggie stopped in Sarah’s doorway to wave.
“Bye.” Sarah waved. “I had pancakes today.”
“Ooh, you’re lucky.” Carol smiled. “All I got at the Wisler Institute was toast and jam.”
“You’re making me hungry.” Meghan said. “I ran out this morning with a cup of cocoa and an oatmeal cookie.”
“Carol, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for. We just want you to be okay.”
“I thought I wanted to be you… be like you.” She looked down at her hands. “I don’t.”
“I’m sorry if you felt pressured—”
“No, I didn’t. I just admired you, so I wanted to be like you. I’m not.”
“Oh, Sarah, I love you just the way you are. You’re like the little sister I never had. If you don’t want to do the kind of work I do, there’s nothing wrong with that. We’ll still be friends.”
“That’s an important realization.” Meghan said. “It’s a new morning. We’ll be here to help you with whatever you decide to do.”
“Gee, kid, you look terrible.” Earl said. “Maybe you should take the day. I can get you some hours on Saturday if you’re worried about coming up short.”
“Once I get going, I’ll catch my second wind.” Ryan rubbed his bloodshot eyes.
“If you say so. Couldn’t you get any sleep once you got home?”
“Marta and I stopped at the diner for breakfast.”
“She really went to bat for you.”
“All of you did. I thought I was done.”
“So did the Chief.”
“I’m afraid he’s just going to keep coming at me, Mr. Townsend.”
“I hope not, kid. We threw him a curveball last night. Depending on how he takes it…” Earl shrugged.
“I guess anything’s worth a shot, but he’s been hard on me for as long as I can remember. If he’s still holding a grudge after all this time, I don’t know what—”
“Don’t sweat it. Go ahead and get to work if you’re feeling up to it. I’m going to head back to the office. If you need to clear out early, just tell Bob to call me. I’ll vouch for you.” Earl shook hands with Ryan before heading down to his car. ‘I hope we got through to Tom.’
He was walking up the stairs to the front entrance of City Hall when Maggie caught up.
“Hey, Earl.”
“Hi, Maggie. Just getting in?”
“I stopped by the hospital to see how Sarah was doing.”
“Poor kid. How is she?”
“Better.” Maggie waved to the receptionist as Earl followed her back to the municipal office space. “I think she’ll be alright.”
“Greg gave me the ten thousand foot.”
“She’s really mixed up, Earl. Had a bad night at home, but they got her calmed down at the hospital. What’s all the drama with Doyle?”
“Ever heard of kicking the cat?”
“So, who’s the Chief actually mad at?”
“His ex.”
“Pfft!” Maggie waved her hands over her head as she opened her office door. “It’s always the mother’s fault.”
Earl smiled and shook his head as he peeled away.